THE VERDICT IS IN – part 2

Updated on March 28, 2011

As her car
drove off I checked my purse, knowing before I looked I didn’t have car
fare. Oh why did I wear these blasted
high heels? Well, because that is what
she would expect. I am always to do what
is expected of me. After walking a few
blocks I saw a bench and a bus stop. I inquired of the driver and found I could get home using two transfers and boarded,
paying my fare.

Time didn't
matter. I had no engagements for the
rest of the day and I wouldn’t be able to reach my friend until evening. Should I tell him of my conversation with my
Aunt? Well, I must. I have to make a decision and he has been so
kind in helping me sort out all of the confusing issues.

My mind
wandered back to the day we met. Anxiously,
I clutched his book, waiting in line with his other fans, hoping he would sign
my copy. He was such a handsome
gentleman, very distinguished in appearance with graying temples, his hair
still wavy as it was in his photo on the back cover of his novels. “Child, uh Miss, I asked your name so that I
might inscribe your book.” He was so
kind, so patient with me from the very beginning and I, such a foolish image,
taking up his precious time as I was once again lost in thought rather than
paying attention. But he found me delightful
,he had said ,and had asked me to join him for tea.

The doorman
told me to stop at the desk, that I had an envelope waiting. I wondered at this but thought perhaps
Jonathon had made more revisions to my manuscript so I collected the envelope
and went on up to my apartment. I
immediately removed my shoes, kicking them a good distance away from my red
swollen feet and sunk onto the sofa. I
thought it odd that there would be tape on the envelope and it was too small to
be my manuscript. I carried it to my
desk and retrieved the letter opener, struggling with the strong tape holding
it closed and as I cut through the last of it the contents dropped onto the
desk and the floor. “Aunt Jane is right”,
I thought to myself, “I am hopelessly clumsy.”
I gathered the contents, a hand written note and some photos. They were photos of my parents with a young
child that resembled me but of course that couldn’t be. They looked older than I remembered but the
tears in my eyes made my vision less than reliable. All pictures of them had been removed from my
Aunt and Uncle’s home and I was not allowed a single photo of them, save the tiny
photo in the locket I wore. I tended to dwell too much on their death, my Aunt explained, and since I was given to such a melancholy
temperament, it was better not to have constant reminders of my departed
parents. I wiped my eyes and strained to
read the note.

Your memories are not wrong. I know your parents and they have told me how
you were stolen from them by your Aunt and Uncle. They have asked me to send this letter and
the pictures as proof that you were with them as you remember, up until the time
they were falsely imprisoned, just as you have been kept in the convalescent home. They are alive and will be in touch with you,
through me. They have never given up hope
of being reunited with you and are working on a plan for this to take
place. You must tell no one of these
matters. It is imperative for your
safety and for theirs as well. They have
risked a great deal to make contact so please be patient and wait for my next
contact.

Sincerely,

A friend

My heart
threatened to come through my chest with its pounding. My vision was blurry but not from tears this
time. I was in the midst of one of the worst Panic Attacks I had experienced in
years. I knew the symptoms well enough
to know that tunnel vision was going to be part of this one. It is a most
frightening and debilitating state in which one can see only from the middle
portion of their eyes with blackness all around. I also get extremely weak and nauseous so
that moving from where I am when one comes on is all but impossible. Thoughts raced through my brain at lightening
speed, unconnected and bizarre. I could
not control the waves of emotion that carried me from crying to a hollow
hysterical laughter. “My parents were
alive … who is this person, this friend … we were in danger… we … I was not
alone … the LIES … I had been made to believe I was insane … my parents
were imprisoned … I had to get to my medication … I can not move … I am
falling.

I slid from
my chair and crawled the full length of the living room and into my bedroom
where my pills were kept in my dresser drawer.
I had been doing so much better I had quit carrying them with me but I hadn’t
let go of them either. Somehow I managed
to pull myself up and leaning on the dresser I was able to retrieve the pills. I fell onto my bed and stretched for the
water container I kept on the night stand, swallowing the pill and praying it
would take hold quickly. I curled into a
ball and pulled the throw over my chilled body, clutching a pillow to my
stomach. I tried to focus on my
breathing, forcing myself to slowly inhale and then exhale, watching as my
chest rose and fell with each breath. I
was lightheaded and exhausted and before long I felt my eyelids start to close
against my will. I needed to stay awake
and sort out all of these questions. I needed
to put these puzzle pieces together … I needed … rest.

More by this Author

For my readers who have been following the "I Still Look For You" memoir, this is a peek at the final chapter. I don't know of an author who didn't see the end coming to their own story, but this happened to...

Panic attacks are terrible. The struggle for a little air. I know. God Bless You Precious Heart.

Poohgranma 5 years ago from On the edge Author

Oh yes, stars, they can make you feel as if you're dieing unless you recognize what is going on!

SomewayOuttaHere 5 years ago from TheGreatGigInTheSky

...hmmmm....interesting....next please! :)

Poohgranma 5 years ago from On the edge Author

Thanks SOH - I have a very sick kitty so it may be a while before I can write more buy I'll keep you posted. Thanks for reading and your kind comments.

SomewayOuttaHere 5 years ago from TheGreatGigInTheSky

ohhhh...too bad...i had a sick kitty in the early fall - hope he gets better...mine didn't

K. Burns Darling 5 years ago from Orange County, California

Poohgranma - You are amazing! You once asked what brought me to your hubs....You did! You are very gifted and I cannot wait to see where this goes! I am sorry that your kitty is sick and wish him/her a speedy recovery, for both our sakes..... Looking forward to the next!

Poohgranma 5 years ago from On the edge Author

K. Burns - thank you so much for your comments, both about my writing and our cat. She will see the vet this afternoon so hopefully this will pass. She is a very long haired cat and I was shocked when I picked her up and she went almost limp and I found she is just bones and fur. She has eaten a little cat food gravy from an eye dropper and has been able to stand to take in water, but I have no clue what can be wrong. She is one of the cats that still travels in and out of doors and is not an "in your face" personality as some of the others are so she is easily overlooked but there is food available to them all 24/7, water and clean dishes. She is one of the ferals we took in when we found her running down the alley all bloody and missing her tail. She is so very sweet and looks like a little rabbit hopping around with her stubby little tail.

epigramman 5 years ago

...never ever a dull moment with your ability to write 'anything' - much less this fascinating short story - which means that you can do it all - and so very well - and yes the - verdict is in - you have my avid attention ......

Poohgranma 5 years ago from On the edge Author

Your praise is worth so much to me. You are one of the very best writer's ANYwhere and your time reading is apprecaited!

QudsiaP1 5 years ago

This is gold right here pooh.

Just plain, pure gold. Then again, i expect no less of you.

P.S: I wrote something too, might be a series, not quite sure as yet. Do check it out if you have the time.